Multiuse grasping attachment for excavators

ABSTRACT

A grasping device at a working end of an excavator arm configured to grip objects, the grasping device comprising of a grasping device body mounted to working end of an excavator arm; said grasping device body having two metal panels; a first grasping member and a second grasping member that are pivotably connected to said grasping device body; said grasping members being configured to open and close with respect to each other by pivoting; said first grasping member and second grasping member having a proximal end located near grasping device body and distal end located at opposite end of grasping member; said first grasping member and second grasping member having a flat portion extending upwards from distal end of each grasping member; said first grasping member and second grasping member having indentations extending upwards from said flat portions; and said first grasping member and second grasping member further forming a roughly semi-circular opening near proximal end of said grasping members.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to industrial machinery and specificallyto an excavator attachment gripping device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As is known in the prior art, mini-excavators use one end of a workingarm for a variety of attachments. Such attachments are well known in theprior art and included buckets, forks, tie tampers and etc. In therelated art, a known gripping device provided at an end of a working armof a working machine includes a gripping-device body mounted to theworking arm, a pair of movable gripping members that are pivotablyconnected to the gripping-device body so as to be openable and closablewith respect to each other, and a driver that drives these grippingmembers so as to open and close the gripping members.

Such gripping devices are not capable of grasping buckets, attachmentsor to be used for digging. As such an operator is required to switchfrom the gripping attachment to a bucket attachment or a diggingattachment. Having such a requirement for switching prolongs the timerequired to perform a task and inconveniences the excavator operator.

Conventional grapples are generally used for lifting and moving objectsbut are not capable of performing heavy work themselves as thearrangement of the pivoting grasping members may be too fragile towithstand excessive downward force.

The prior art describes bucket attachments for excavators that contain a“thumb” attachment. These attachments are capable of performing the workof a bucket and perform some grasping of objects. However, picking up ofsingle objects and smaller objects such as railroad ties is oftendifficult with such devices. There is a need for a device that iscapable of performing multiple tasks such as grasping of a collection orsingle objects and that has a means for quickly attaching and usingother conventional attachments so as to save time and make the use of anexcavator easier for multipurpose tasks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a multifunctional grappling attachment for anexcavator arm. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention toprovide a gripping device capable of gripping various types and varioussizes of objects without the requirement of switching betweenattachments. In its preferred embodiment, the present invention consistsof a grappling body which is mounted to the excavator arm. The grapplingbody is further made of a first grappling member and a second grapplingmember. The grappling members are aligned in parallel and are pivotallysupported at the ends proximal to the excavator arm. The grapplingmembers are configured to open and close on command by an excavatoroperator.

Furthermore, the grappling members of the present invention are designedsuch that they are able to grab different sizes of objects. Thegrappling members at their distal end contain a flat portion which isused for picking up smaller objects such as rail road ties. Thegrappling members also contain a plurality of grooves which aid thepresent invention in grasping larger objects such as logs, pipes, andother similar objects. A specially designed groove in the grapplingmembers also allows the present invention to pick up excavator buckets.Accordingly, the present invention is capable of replacing severaltools.

The present invention is further capable of being mounted on atiltrotator attached to the excavator arm. A tiltrotator allows for 360degree rotation and +/−40 degree tilt of the present invention therebyproviding more flexibility and range in the use of the presentinvention. The present invention is engaged with the tiltrotator via aquick-coupler assembly that is part of the tiltrotator's body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments herein will hereinafter be described in conjunction with theappended drawings provided to illustrate and not to limit the scope ofthe claims, wherein like designations denote like elements, and inwhich:

FIG. 1 shows the present invention as part of an excavator;

FIG. 2 shows a front view of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows the present invention grasping a railroad tie;

FIG. 4 shows the present invention attaching to a tie tampingattachment;

FIG. 5 shows the present invention grasping a bucket attachment; and

FIG. 6 shows the present invention grasping a fork attachment

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference is now made to FIGS. 1 and 2, illustrated therein is agrappling device 10 according to the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention. In FIG. 1, the present invention is connected to atiltrotator 22 which is connected to an arm 21 of an excavator 20. Thepresent invention 10 being connected to the tiltrotator 22 by a quickcoupler which is a part of the tiltrotator 22 body. The presentinvention contains a means, which is known in the prior art, ofconnecting to a quick coupler to a tiltrotator 22 housed in the grapplerbody 15. While being attached to a tiltrotator 22, the present inventionis capable of precise movement for a required application. The preferredembodiment of the present invention is attached to a high railexcavator. However, the present invention is capable of being attachedto various excavator types and can be scaled to size for the requiredapplication.

FIG. 2 illustrates that the present invention 10 comprising a grapplerbody 11 with grappling members 12-13. The grappling members 12-13 areshown in profile as they are capable of being rotated by the tiltrotator20. The grappling members 12-13 possess a gripping portion 121-131 attheir distal end, consisting of teeth or another rough surface, from theexcavator arm. The gripping portion 121-131 allows for gripping andmanipulating relatively smaller objects. The grappling members 12-13 aremoved by attachments on the outer elbows 124-134 of the grapplingmembers 12-13 which are kept in line by plates 123-133 pressed againstthem.

The gripping portion 121-131 also allows for lifting other attachmentsand gripping and keeping them in a straight position such that it allowsfor them to be used for digging. The pivotal joint of the grapplingmembers is located within the grappling body 11 and is covered by ametal plate 111 on each side. A single pin pivoting assembly is locatedin the grasping body 11 and is covered by the metal plate 111. Analternative embodiment of the present invention 10 can include havingeach grappling member 12-13 on separate pins located inside thegrappling body 11. As the grappling members 12-13 open and close theyexert a force on the pivot that may misalign the grappling members 12-13with each opening and closing motion. The metal plates 111 act againstthat force and serve to keep the pivoting assembly from misaligning thegrappling members 12-13 with each opening and closing motion.

The metal plate 111 also protrudes at the bottom creating a flange 112to which various attachments are held securely. When a force is exertedon an attachment held by the present invention 10, the flange 112prevents any motion and misalignment of the attachment. A lack of astraight flange 112 that aligns with the attachment may result in toolsrocking back and forth and a user having to readjust the position of theattachments.

Further referring to FIG. 2, the gripping portion 121-131 consist ofteeth that are present in the grappling members 12-13 for graspinglarger objects that also may be irregularly shaped. Thereby, the presentinvention is capable of grasping and manipulating irregular objects suchas posts, planks, boulders and other collections of objects.

FIG. 2 additionally shows a specially designed groove 120 located nearthe proximal ends of the grappling members 12-13. The groove 120 iscomprised of two semicircular grooves located on each grappling member12-13 proximal end. The groove may be contiguous with the indentationsor there may be another flat portion separating the groove from theindentations.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3-6, the present invention is capable ofgrasping various objects. The preferred embodiment of the presentinvention is attached to a rail excavator and as such is capable ofholding railroad ties 30, as shown in FIG. 3. The gripping portion121-131 of the grappling members 12-13 can grasp a railroad tie.Additionally, since the present invention 10 is capable of beinginstalled on the quickcoupler of a tiltrotator 15, it is able toprecisely maneuver the railroad tie in position and have it placedunderneath the rails.

FIG. 4 shows the present invention 10 holding a railway tie tamper 40.The grappling members 12-13 enter the tamping tool and, once inside, areheld open by an excavator operator. The positioning of the grapplingmembers 12-13 allows them to grasp a railway tie tamper 40 and lift it.The grappling members 12-13 are able to securely grasp the tamping toolattachment 40 so as to generate the force required for tamping. Aspreviously, attachment of the present invention to a tiltrotator 15enables the present invention to pivot and rotate to move the railwaytie tamper 40 in various positions.

Shown in FIG. 5, is the present invention 10 grasping a ditching bucketattachment 50. The specially designed groove 120 at the proximal end ofthe grasping members 12-13 allows for the present invention 10 to attachto a bucket attachment 50. The present invention 10 enters the bucket 50from the top and grasps a center bar with the groove 120 and clasps thegrappling members 12-13 together. When closed, the grappling members12-13 are capable of securely lifting and moving the ditching bucketattachment 50. The flange 111 serves to keep the ditching bucket alignedwhen being moved and rotated by the excavator 20. The present inventionwhen attached to a tiltrotator 22 is then capable of manipulating thebucket 50 in a manner in which the bucket may be used for digging andother similar tasks.

Referring to FIG. 6, the present invention 10 is shown grippingadjustable fork attachment 60. As with the ditching bucket 50, in FIG.5, the present invention grasps the back of the adjustable forkattachment 60 with the groove 120. The grappling members 12-13 close andare then capable of securely lifting and moving the adjustable forkattachment 60. The forks 61-62, are capable of then lifting crates,boxes and other similar objects thus giving the present invention 10 theability to quickly change to a fork attachment when required by anoperator.

One embodiment of the present invention 10 is it being used on a railexcavator. As such, the present invention is mounted 10 on a tiltrotator22 attached to a rail excavator arm. In this embodiment, the presentinvention 10 is capable of grasping the required tools for railinstallation or removal. Since the present invention is capable ofgrasping and holding a wide variety of excavator tools and attachments,it is capable of performing the task much faster than conventional railexcavator attachments.

In this embodiment, the present invention's usability is demonstrated inan example in which a railway tie is to be replaced. The presentinvention can use the gripping portion 121 or 131 as a tool to loosen upa ballast where a tie 30 has been removed so as to provide a means forplacing a new railroad tie 30. When enough space has been made forinserting a railroad tie 30, the present invention 10 will then grasp arailroad tie with the gripping portion 121-131 of its grasping members12-13 and maneuver it in position underneath the rail. The grippingsurface 121-131 on the lateral side of the grasping members may also beused to exert force on the railroad tie 30 when inserting. Once the tie30 has been inserted and the rail plates installed on top of the tie 30,the tie tamper 40 attached to the present invention 10 tamps the tie 30forcing the ballast underneath the railway tie 30 and thus forcing thetie upward against the rail. At any time during this process the presentinvention 10 is capable of grasping a bucket 50 and moving tools orgravel that have been placed in it if such a need arises.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

With respect to the above description, it is to be realized that theoptimum relationships for the parts of the invention in regard to size,shape, form, materials, function and manner of operation, assembly anduse are deemed readily apparent and obvious to those skilled in the art,and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawingsand described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by thepresent invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A grasping device at a working end of anexcavator arm configured to grip objects, the grasping devicecomprising: a. a grasping device body mounted to working end of anexcavator arm; b. said grasping device body having two metal panelswherein said metal panels having a thickness extending from saidgrasping device body; c. wherein said thickness of said metal panelscreating a horizontal flange; d. a first grasping member and a secondgrasping member that are pivotably connected to said grasping devicebody; e. said grasping members being configured to open and close withrespect to each other by pivoting; f. said first grasping member andsecond grasping member having a proximal end located near graspingdevice body and distal end located at opposite end of grasping member;g. said first grasping member and second grasping member having a flatportion extending upwards from distal end of each grasping member; h.said first grasping member and second grasping member havingindentations extending upwards from said flat portions; and i. saidfirst grasping members and second grasping member further forming aroughly semi-circular opening near proximal end of said graspingmembers.
 2. The grasping device at a working end of an excavator armconfigured to grip objects of claim 1, wherein said grasping body havinga quick coupler attachment for attachment to an excavator arm.
 3. Thegrasping device at a working end of an excavator arm configured to gripobjects of claim 1, wherein said horizontal flange being used to alignposition of items being grasped.
 4. The grasping device at a working endof an excavator arm configured to grip objects of claim 1, wherein saidhorizontal flange being used to maintain position of items being graspedby preventing excess motion.
 5. The grasping device at a working end ofan excavator arm configured to grip objects of claim 1, wherein saidsemi-circular opening of said grasping members being capable of graspinga ditching bucket by closing said grasping members.
 6. The graspingdevice at a working end of an excavator arm configured to grip objectsof claim 1, wherein said semi-circular opening of said grasping membersbeing capable of grasping an adjustable fork attachment by closing saidgrasping members.
 7. The grasping device at a working end of anexcavator arm configured to grip objects of claim 1, wherein saidindentations of said grasping members being capable of grasping objects.8. The grasping device at a working end of an excavator arm configuredto grip objects of claim 1, wherein said grappling members being capableof attaching to a railroad tie tamper by entering said railroad tietamper from top and opening grasping members.